PHNOM PENH: Aide et Action (AEA) and World Vision have signed a partnership agreement aimed at addressing student dropouts in 10 provinces in Cambodia.
The signing took place at the Primary Department of the Ministry of Education on Thursday evening, 26 January 2023, with the Director General, Directorate of Education, Ministry of Education Youth and Sport, Put Samith, as a witness.
World Vision Cambodia Country Director, Janes Immanuel Hinting, said the education system was particularly vulnerable during the Covid-19 crisis, with many students dropping out of school. He said that the initiative for this project is very important to help the Royal Government of Cambodia in supporting children.
The partnership between the two organizations will run from 2023 to 2025, with a total funding of US $5.4 million, with 36% contributed by AEA/Action Education, and 64% contributed by World Vision.
Vorn Samphors, the Country Director of AEA/Action Education, told reporters that this was a joint movement between AEA and World Vision under the direction of the Education Strategic Plan to ensure that children who face difficulties in their families and communities can benefit from educational services.
The 10 provinces covered by this project include Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Takeo, Kandal, Kampong Thom, Kratie, Preah Vihear, Banteay Meanchey, Battambang and Siem Reap, which will cover 638 target primary schools.
Director General, Directorate of Education, Ministry of Education Youth and Sport, Put Samith, expressed support for the project, saying it would also help dropouts attain a re-education.
World Vision Executive Director, Long Virak, said he is very confident in the success of this project, believing that even if the project is completed in 2025, students will not drop out of school again.
"We strongly believe in our recent experience, partnering with the ministry, partnering with UNDP, partnering with other organizations, with a success rate of 85%," he told reporters.
Over the next three years, the project will support the building of eight new standard schools, enrolling and retaining 15,950 OOSC (50% girls), 9,000 in-kind study support and services for learning for OOSC, and professional development for upwards of 5,000 teachers and education actors. The project will also assist the government in formulating policies related to OOSC issues as well.
